[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 167 (Thursday, August 28, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51344-51345]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-20489]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and 
Notice of Scoping Meeting

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 
U.S.C. 4321-4347, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is issuing 
this notice to advise the public that an environmental impact statement 
will be prepared for the Assure/Expand Chilled Water Capacity project 
located on the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda Campus, 
Bethesda, Maryland.

DATES: The Scoping Meeting is planned for 6:00 p.m., formal 
presentation to begin at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday September 24, 2014. 
Scoping comments must be postmarked no later than October 18, 2014 to 
ensure they are considered.

ADDRESSES: The Scoping Meeting will be held on The National Institutes 
of Health Bethesda Campus, Building 50, Room 1227/1233, Bethesda, 
Maryland. All comments and questions on the Scoping Meeting and 
Environmental Impact Statement should be directed to Valerie 
Nottingham, Deputy Director, Division of Environmental Protection, 
Office of Research Facilities, NIH, B13/2S11, 9000 Rockville Pike, 
Bethesda, Maryland 20892, telephone 301-496-7775; fax 301-480-0204; or 
email <[email protected]>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Valerie Nottingham, Deputy Director, 
Division of Environmental Protection, Office of Research Facilities, 
NIH, B13/2S11, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, telephone 
301-496-7775; fax 301-480-0204; or email <[email protected]>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NIH's mission is to seek fundamental 
knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the 
application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and 
reduce illness and disability. In order to fulfill and uphold this 
mission the infrastructure of the NIH Bethesda Campus must be able to 
support the NIH's biomedical research programs.
    Chilled water is a critical utility for the Bethesda Campus. The 
campus chilled water demand has exceeded the design capacity several 
times during the previous years. Expansion of the chilled water 
capacity is necessary.
    The NIH has also become increasingly concerned about the 
vulnerability of the local water utility system, and the risk of 
reliably delivering water to the NIH Bethesda Campus infrastructure. A 
reliable water supply is vital to the NIH mission. The NIH proposes to 
address these concerns by construction of water storage structures to 
expand the Bethesda Campus chilled water capacity and to assure the 
availability of chilled water and potable water during a water 
emergency. In addition, NIH desires to improve sustainability, energy 
conservation, and to reduce the operating cost on the campus.
    In accordance with 40 CFR 1500-1508 and DHHS environmental 
procedures, NIH will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
for the proposed project. The EIS will evaluate the impacts of the 
alternatives should development occur as proposed. Among the items the 
EIS will examine are the implications of the project on community 
infrastructure, including, but not limited to, utilities, storm water 
management, traffic and transportation, and other public services. To 
ensure that the public is afforded the greatest opportunity to 
participate in the planning and environmental review process, NIH is 
inviting oral and written comments on the proposed project and related 
environmental issues.
    The NIH will be sponsoring a public Scoping Meeting to provide 
individuals an opportunity to share their ideas, including recommended 
alternatives and environmental issues the EIS should consider. All 
interested parties

[[Page 51345]]

are encouraged to attend. NIH has established a 45-day public comment 
period for the scoping process.

    Dated: August 21, 2014.
Daniel G. Wheeland,
Director, Office of Research Facilities Development and Operations, 
National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 2014-20489 Filed 8-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P